Learning Retention

Retention of learning is a crucial aspect of education that refers to the ability of learners to remember and apply what they have learned. While it is essential to ensure that students gain new knowledge and skills, it is equally important to ensure that they can retain this information over the long term. To help trainee teachers understand the theories, principles, and models of retention of learning, this article will focus on the work of David A. Pike and his contributions to the field.

Overview of Retention of Learning

Retention of learning refers to the ability of learners to retain the knowledge and skills they have acquired over time. This is a critical aspect of education as it allows learners to build on their prior knowledge and skills, and apply them in new and complex situations. Retention of learning is essential for long-term success and personal growth as it enables learners to develop expertise and mastery in their chosen fields.

Pike’s Model of Memory

David A. Pike is a renowned researcher in the field of retention of learning. He proposed a model of memory that highlights the importance of different types of memory in the retention of learning. According to Pike, there are three types of memory: sensory memory, short-term memory, and long-term memory.

Sensory memory refers to the ability of our senses to capture information from the environment. This information is then briefly held in sensory memory for a fraction of a second, after which it is either discarded or transferred to short-term memory.

Short-term memory is also known as working memory and is responsible for holding information in our conscious awareness for a short period. This type of memory can hold only a limited amount of information, and if not rehearsed, it is quickly forgotten.

Long-term memory is the final stage of memory processing and refers to the ability of our brains to store and retrieve information for an extended period. This type of memory is essential for the retention of learning as it allows learners to store and retrieve knowledge and skills for long periods.

Principles of Retention of Learning

To promote the retention of learning, there are several principles that trainee teachers should keep in mind. These principles are based on the cognitive processes that underlie learning and memory and include the following:

1. Repetition: Repeated exposure to information is crucial for the retention of learning. The more learners engage with information, the more likely they are to remember it over time.

2. Meaningful Learning: Learners are more likely to retain information that they find meaningful and relevant to their lives. Teachers should strive to make learning meaningful by connecting new information to prior knowledge and real-world experiences.

3. Chunking: Breaking down information into smaller, more manageable chunks can help learners remember and retain it more effectively.

4. Feedback: Providing learners with feedback on their performance is critical for promoting retention of learning. Feedback can help learners identify areas where they need to improve and adjust their learning strategies accordingly.

5. Transfer: Learners are more likely to retain learning if they can apply it to new and varied situations. Teachers should strive to create opportunities for learners to transfer their learning to new contexts.

Further Reading

Academic Articles:

1. “Memory and learning: How to boost retention in education” by David A. Pike. Link: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317234331_Memory_and_learning_How_to_boost_retention_in_education

2. “Improving Student Learning through the Use of Memory Techniques” by C. Shawn Green and Aaron R. Seitz. Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1073858411428692

3. “The role of working memory in the retention of complex conceptual physics knowledge” by Jose P. Mestre and Xiaodi Zhu. Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science

Online Articles:

1. “7 Tips to Improve Memory and Retention of Learning” by E-Learning Industry. Link: https://elearningindustry.com/improve-memory-retention-of-learning

2. “How to improve long-term memory retention in eLearning” by Christopher Pappas. Link: https://elearningindustry.com/how-to-improve-long-term-memory-retention-in-elearning

3. “10 Strategies To Enhance Students’ Memory” by TeachThought Staff. Link: https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/10-strategies-to-enhance-students-memory/

Videos:

1. “Memory and the Brain” by TED-Ed. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exKLR_zK4RU

2. “The Science of Learning and Memory” by AsapSCIENCE. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtVH0nWQ2Pw

3. “Retaining Information: Tips and Strategies” by The Learning Scientists. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukLnPbIffxE

These resources provide practical tips and strategies that teachers can use to promote the retention of learning in their students. They offer a range of techniques and tools to enhance memory and promote deeper learning, which can be applied in a variety of educational settings.